Robert & the Tao of Bonsai

Another Robert Steven bonsai masterpiece. He doesn’t say what kind of tree it is but it looks a lot like a Pemphis. This morning I set out to post two new critiques by Robert Steven, but was foiled by a computer glitch (hopefully temporary).* Meanwhile, I discovered a new photo (above) that Robert just put up on his facebook feed. Because Robert only put up one new photo, I’m posting some photos (below) from an older Bark post (February 2011) that features a small sampling of Robert Steven’s great bonsai and some strange text from a day when I must … Continue reading Robert & the Tao of Bonsai

A Long Awaited Bonsai Event

This is the long awaited weekend of Robert Steven’s first International Bonsai Art & Culture Biennale. For those of us who were unable to make it to Indonesia, here are a few photos that Robert posted to promote the event. Many of these have already appeared here on Bark, but some are new to us. Stay posted for some photos of the event itself. Robert Steven’s Mission of Transformation and all of our other Bonsai Books are now on Sale for 30% to 40% off. Don’t wait though, the sale ends in a few days.

An Act of Daring Departure

A once in a life time bonsai event. The deadline for registration for the International Bonsai Art & Culture Biennale 2014 is the 30th of September. I know that not everyone can make it to Indonesia for Robert Steven’s International Bonsai Art & Culture Biennale, but some of you can. And it’s not too late to register and go. A little spontaneity may be required, but what’s life without occasional daring departures from routine? Maybe you can catch this plane to the Biennale. This is one of my favorite Robert Steven bonsai (one of many favorites). It’s a famous … Continue reading An Act of Daring Departure

Shape Shifting

Robert Steven’s simulation of a juniper submitted by Peter Woosley. Peter’s original is below. Last post we borrowed from our archives and featured the artistry of Robert Steven. Might as well follow up with more archival Robert (from April, 2011). Before we start, a quick heads up with a nod to our sponsor (while staying on topic): We are down to less than 200 copies of our Masters Series Juniper bonsai book, and, as it turns out, we are currently running a 25% off sale on all of our books. Enough said. A surprising shift Robert fooled me (once again). … Continue reading Shape Shifting

Stepping Out of Character for Just a Moment

The first thing that caught my eye in this photo is the tree’s overall graceful fluid movement. Next is the swirling gnarl that, for lack of a better word, we’ll call the trunk (see below). This photo and the others shown here are from a recent facebook post by Robert Steven. Robert Steven is, without a doubt, the artist most featured here on Bonsai Bark. You can chalk that up to him being one of the most accomplished and innovative bonsai artists in the world. Prolific too. But there’s more. We don’t usually do lists here nor do we usually … Continue reading Stepping Out of Character for Just a Moment

A Magical Land Where Almost Every House Has a Bonsai

We know this tree is very large, but exactly how large is difficult to tell (the uncropped photo immediately below might help a bit). In addition to its great size, it shows an excellent base and nebari, as well as some gnarly bumps that look a bit like melting wax. I think I can say with confidence that it’s Ficus. All the photos in this post were taken by Robert Steven on a recent trip to Vietnam. The other day someone suggested we feature Vietnamese bonsai. As it turns out, we have done just that several times already, with more … Continue reading A Magical Land Where Almost Every House Has a Bonsai

Celebrating Bonsai

I’m feeling a little daring today. Even revolutionary. This is the first time we’ve used cartoon images. Let alone head up a post with one. Both cartoons are promotions for Robert Steven’s big Bonsai Biennale and they work for me. Hopefully for you too. All the images in this post are from Robert’s facebook feed. It has been a while since we’ve featured Robert Steven’s masterful bonsai and his other numerous doings. Doings so numerous that I suspect he seldom sleeps (Bill Valavanis is also suspect, but that’s for another time). We’ll focus mostly on images that feature Robert’s upcoming … Continue reading Celebrating Bonsai

Continuity, Charm & the Chinese Century

Root-over-rock bonsai. When we originally showed this photo, we (that’s me) missed the rock part, even though it’s obvious (especially once you know it’s a rock). Here’s the caption from last year: At the risk of getting carried away, how about ‘wandering sage stops for a moment to contemplate an ancient tree by the light of the moon.’ In any case, I don’t blame him. You don’t see trunks (or trees) like this one every day. Our last two post have featured Penjing, so for continuity (and charm) we’ll make it three in a row. This one is borrowed from … Continue reading Continuity, Charm & the Chinese Century

Can’t Really Pick a Favorite, But…

Suthin has a way with Hinoki cypress. And a way with bonsai altogether. The more I look at this tree, the more I like it. If I were to go back through our nine hundred or so posts so far and pick my favorites, this one would surely make the grade. This photo and the others in this post are from Suthin’s facebook timeline. It would be very difficult if we had pick a favorite bonsai or a favorite bonsai artist. There are simply too many good ones, with so many different types of trees and styles. However, if I … Continue reading Can’t Really Pick a Favorite, But…

Good News for Bonsai Art & Culture

A good example of the kind of results Cheng Cheng Kung gets with his Sidiao method. Hint: it’s the deadwood. We just heard that Cheng Cheng Kung has confirmed to be one of the demonstrators at Robert Steven’s International Bonsai Art & Culture Biennal 2014. This is good news indeed for those of us who are planning on attending (here’s the registration form if you haven’t gotten around to it yet). Just in case you don’t know Cheng Cheng Kung, here’s the short version: Mr Cheng is one of the most famous bonsai artists in the world and the creator of … Continue reading Good News for Bonsai Art & Culture